ABSTRACT
Reinforced concrete bridge columns with isolators subjected to the design ground motion are designed within limited nonlinear response to ensure that seismic energy is mainly dissipated at isolators. However, rupture of isolators or large nonlinear response displacement of reinforced concrete bridge columns cannot be avoided under more severe ground motion than the design ground motion due to the post-elastic stiffness of isolators. In this study, ultimate failure modes of reinforced concrete bridge columns with isolators were investigated by static and dynamic analysis considering uncertainties in the material and mechanical properties. As a result, it was shown that failure mode depends on the capacity ratio of the strength at the strain hardening initiation of the isolator to the ultimate strength of the reinforced concrete bridge column.
